The Awakening
The Awakening
R | 17 August 2011 (USA)
The Awakening Trailers

In post–War England, a writer and sometime-ghost hunter investigates a reported haunting at a boys boarding school.

Reviews
ShangLuda

Admirable film.

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Brendon Jones

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

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Griff Lees

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

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Francene Odetta

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

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LeonLouisRicci

Atmospherically Glum and Goosebumby with its well Mounted Cinematography and Stunning, Captivating, Realistic, Scientific Devices makes this Muddled Movie Forever Watchable.The Good Acting from the whole Cast Lead by Rebecca Hall and Dominic West also can Attract Attention.But after the Story Unfolds and Certain Things are Revealed, the Film just Collapses under the Weight of Ambiguity, Confusion, and a Desire to Wallow in its Own Cleverness. It is one of the most Mysterious Missteps in Recent Movies about Ghosts, Haunting, and the Paranormal.It leaves the Viewer Deflated of the Awesome Spectacle and Spectres Previously on Display. A Display that Captured and set a Convincing, Terrifying Tone. But what Followed was, in the Last 20 Minutes, so Mishandled and Unfocused that it seemed like Another Writer and Director Took Over the Project.Everything that made the Jarring Journey Unsettling was Discarded for a Wispy Wind-Up that Wanders All Over the Place with an Aloof Attitude about the Devastating and Consequential Considerings that made the Story so Profound to Begin with.

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tampuopolo

Just finished this movie as of Feb 28, 2017! What can I say about this movie, it has the right touch of creepiness but hidden revealed of beauty and yet troubling horror mixed with true friendship and love. What I love about this tale is how well it's set up, down to the costumes, the environment. You'll notice how the film looks like it's black and white in itself , as if its straight from history , from the 1921 which the film is set in. I love the music of the time, the history, the clothes, even the way of speaking.The ending was the best, but I was confused, I had many suspects in the film of the who the ghost was. I don't think it explained much about Walter or his back story enough. If you love surprises , especially at the end, you should see this! It has a few jumps and scares, but the true scary part of this film is the thought of death and were we all go. The beautiful score, the sets, all that will scare you more than anything else. I lost my mother , so this movie really touches my heart, especially since she died a year after this film came out. I give this film a 9 out of 10 only because it was a bit confusing, but maybe that's because I need to re watch it :) great master piece of a film. Truly haunting on every level, on every scale!

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daaag-mar

People review this movie good because they think it is so complicated. The movie is not to be understood, this is because things don't match up. People might give the movie a high rating because they don't fully understand the movie, but that's the writer's fault, cause it honestly has a plot that does not make sense. The story line is all over the place and illogical. Even when we are talking about the paranormal, the plot is still really illogical and unclear. The movie is lonely, tedious and has some nice shots that give you a sense of ambiance. But after all it is definitely not strong. Slim entertainment and no wisdom being acquired from this movie. If people are amazed by this movie they haven't seen much other good movies,I have seen plenty good movies and this 1 will get 2/3 stars.

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Spikeopath

The Awakening is directed by Nick Murphy and Murphy co-writes the screenplay with Stephen Volk. It stars Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Shaun Dooley and Joseph Mawle. Music is by Daniel Pemberton and cinematography by Eduard Grau.Britain, post World War 1, and Florence Cathcart (Hall) makes a living as an exposer of charlatan spiritualists, a debunker of ghost sightings. When she receives a request from school master Robert Mallory (West) to investigate the supernatural events at a remote boarding school for boys, she is suitably intrigued to take on the assignment...It comes as no surprise to find that numerous reviews for The Awakening make reference to ghost story films that were made previously. The Woman in Black released a year later would suffer the same fate, charges of it not bringing nothing new to the table etc. A ghost story set in a big mansion or remote educational/correctional establishment is what it is, and will continue to be so, all fans of such spooky fare ask is that it does it well and maybe add some adult themes into the bargain. The Awakening does these in spades.The concept of a disbeliever in ghosts having their belief system tested to the full is not new, but it's a great concept and one with longevity assured. Here, boosted by a terrific performance from Hall, the screenplay consistently keeps you guessing. The possibilities of real or faked are constant as the director pumps up the creep factor, whilst he simultaneously crafts a number of genuine shock sequences - including one of the best doll house scenes put to film! This really has all the requisite jolts and atmospheric creeps for a period spooker.It's not until the final quarter when the screenplay begins to unravel its mystery, a finale that has proved both ambiguous and divisive. The ambiguity factor is a little baffling since everything is made clear in a nicely staged scene, and this is something which the director has gone on record to state as well. As for the divisive side of things? That's a blight for this sub-genre of horror. It's convoluted! Contrived! It has been done before they cry! These are true to be sure, and without doubt there's a leap of faith required to not get annoyed, but it garners a reaction and has done its ghost story essence very well indeed.Beautifully photographed, scored and performed by the leads to boot, this is for sure one for fans of period spookers with brains. 7.5/10

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